This lithograph us taken from plate 20 from William Wood's 'Views of Calcutta'.Wood's view of Middleton Street perfectly illustrates the typical Calcutta scene of the time, comprising a grand colonnaded building surrounded with trees. In the foreground, the natives of Calcutta are pictured going about their business, tending to their animals and relaxing in groups.

The mixture of European and Asiatic styles contributed to the charm of the depictions various artists made of the city and the popularity of these images with the British public. Wood's lithographs were available printed in black ink or (for a higher price) hand-watercoloured with touches of varnish added to enrich the colour.